BELADIN: The Sarawak government via its Agriculture Department is expected to sign more Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the private sector to market Sarawak’s agricultural products globally.
Assistant Agriculture Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail added that so far, the department had signed MoUs with 15 leading companies.
He said that the Sarikei and Betong food baskets would produce quality agricultural goods in large quantities.
“Most importantly, to penetrate the international market, we must adhere to the Good Agricultural Practices (MyGAP).
“Our farmers have to follow a system that produces safe agricultural goods.
“Not just beautiful and tasty but also safe and of quality as well as in accordance with international standards.
“The ministry will work hard for the next ten years and needs to collaborate with all parties including the private sector,” said Abdul Rahman.
He revealed they would be implementing the concept of ‘anchor company, contract farmer’. These leading companies are private groups that have connections with the external market.
“We will develop farmers as contract farmers,” he added when officiating at the 4th Beting Maro Food Festival here.
According to him, this is to overcome marketing issues often faced by farmers in the past as well as now.
He said the government would get involved in all production networks until the marketing aspect.
“Hopefully, we will sign more partnerships with leading companies to help sell products found in Sarawak,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said the state government had big plans to develop all sectors including the agriculture, fisheries, livestock, modern agriculture and agro-based industries.
“We want to be a nett exporter of agricultural products by 2030.
“At the same time, we want to bridge the income gap between the urban and rural areas — we want at least every farming family to earn a minimum income of RM5,000 a month,” he said.
He added the development of modern agriculture was one of the four core areas to be focused on in the 12th Malaysia Plan aside from the development of basic infrastructure, tourism sector, and education especially Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET).
“All these areas will transform Sarawak,” said Abdul Rahman.
